HC issues status quo on KU teachers’ termination

The High Court yesterday (Tuesday) issued an order of status quo regarding the termination of three teachers of Khulna University (KU).

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of KU and government to explain in four weeks why the termination of three KU teachers should not be declared illegal.

The three teachers are Lecturer Hoymonty Shukla Kabery of History and Civilisation department; Assistant Professor Abul Fazal and Lecturer Shakila Alam of Bangla department.

Yesterday, the HC bench of Justice Md Mozibur Rahman Miah and Justice Md Kamrul Hossain Mollah came up with the order of status quo and rule following a writ petition filed by the three KU teachers challenging the KU authorities' decision to terminate them.  

Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, a lawyer for the three teachers, told the Daily Star that the three teachers had filed a writ petition in the high court last Thursday seeking reversal of the decision of the university syndicate meeting. The writ hearing was held four days later.

The lawyer mentioned that since the three teachers have not yet handed over their responsibilities, there is no legal impediment for them to continue working. "The mistreatment of the three teachers is unacceptable and a blow to their academic freedom," said Barrister Jyotirmoy.

Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Nawroz MR Chowdhury and Assistant Attorney General Golam Sarwar Pavel told this correspondent that the three teachers cannot continue teaching as the HC has not stayed their termination.

During hearing on the petition, Jyotirmoy Barua told the HC bench that the KU authorities have terminated his clients from mala fide intention and without following any lawful procedures.  

KU authorities on January 28 decided to terminate the three teachers as they had expressed their solidarity with a student movement at the university in 2020, which does not make any offence, argued the barrister.

On January 1, 2020, the KU students staged a demonstration on campus to press their a five-point demand, including the reduction of tuition fees and accommodation. Some university teachers expressed their solidarity with the movement.

On October 13, 2020, the KU authorities served show-cause notices to four teachers, including the trio. In the notice, KU authorities said the teachers delivered provocative speeches and spread false information against the university.